BC-MT--Montana News Digest, MT

March 1, 2019

Montana at 6 p.m.

The desk can be reached at 406-442-7440. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org.

UPCOMING TOMORROW:

MEDICAL MARIJUANA-PAROLE USE

HELENA _ The Montana House is scheduled to vote Friday on a bill that would allow people on parole or probation to use medical marijuana if it is prescribed to them. The bill passed on second reading Thursday.

TOP STORIES TODAY:

WEAPONS SHIPMENT CRASH

HELENA _ An Air Force bomb disposal unit blew up dozens of damaged projectiles along a rural Montana highway and recovered hundreds more after a truck hauling Navy weapons was in a crash earlier this month, military officials said. The crash involving the military truck and two commercial trucks happened in severe winter conditions on Feb. 11 on U.S. Highway 212 in southeastern Montana. Details about the truck’s cargo were only released this week by 28th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team based in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. By Matt Volz. SENT: 380 words.

FUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE

HELENA _ The Montana House unanimously passed a bill Thursday to set rules for lawmakers to determine how much money the state can afford to borrow and spend on building construction and maintenance. Republican Rep. Eric Moore’s bill, which includes rules for borrowing based on state revenue and existing debt, passed the House 100-0 and moves to the Senate. SENT: 300 words.

COYOTE FUR

HERKIMER, N.Y. _ Those fur-trimmed parkas so common on city sidewalks have become a boon to backwoods trappers. Coyote fur pelts are in big demand to provide the lush, silvery or tawny-tinged arcs of fur on the hoods on Canada Goose coats and their many global imitators. A good western coyote, prized for its silky, light-colored fur, can fetch more than $100. The top price at a recent Colorado auction hit $170, a 40 percent increase from four years ago. “Coyotes are hot,” says John Hughes, a longtime buyer at J and M Furs in Roundup, Montana, “and it’s all due to the trim trade. By Michael Hill. SENT: 690 words, photos.

CALIFORNIA FLOODS

GUERNEVILLE, Calif. — Tom Orr began moving lyrics and scripts, clothes and photo albums from his apartment as authorities ordered evacuations along a rising Northern California river threatening to hit a historic crest. But the actor and writer couldn’t move costumes, computers and performance videos. So he shifted those to his loft bed about 10 feet up and prayed they would survive. On Wednesday, television news footage showed muddy brown water nearly swallowing his ground-level unit and much of the tiny town of Guerneville, part of Sonoma County’s famed wine country and a popular tourist destination. By Terence Chea and Janie Har. SENT: 940 words, photos and video.

With: CALIFORNIA FLOODS-THE LATEST

IN BRIEF:

_ MONTANA WEATHER _ An avalanche warning has been posted for the mountain that overlooks the city of Missoula in southwest Montana.

_ ELECTION 2020-STEVE BULLOCK _ Montana Gov. Steve Bullock is planning a sixth trip to Iowa and his political-action committee has hired a staffer to organize his efforts in the early voting state.

_ FATAL POLICE SHOOTING-LAWSUIT _ The city of Billings has settled a civil lawsuit with the family of a man killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in 2014.

_ LOGGING PROJECT _ A Montana judge has rejected an attempt to block a timber sale southeast of Bozeman.

_ FORMER GOVERNOR-ELECTORAL COLLEGE _ Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage says any elimination of the Electoral College would hurt white people. LePage says cutting the Electoral College would mean there is never another presidential candidate from small states like “Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Wyoming, Montana, Rhode Island.” (With AP Photos)

_ UNIVERSITY-RURAL MENTAL HEALTH _ The University of Missouri has received a $10 million federal grant to establish a National Center for Rural School Mental Health.

SPORTS:

CFL-LULAY-RETIRES

SURREY, British Columbia — Travis Lulay, the former Montana State quarterback who led the B.C. Lions to the 2011 Grey Cup title, has retired. The 35-year-old Lulay announced the decision Thursday. “I just appreciate the heck out of everyone who has touched this part of my journey in a meaningful way,” he said. SENT: 470 words, photos.

___

If you have stories of regional or statewide interest, please email them to apdenver@ap.org. If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them to the AP state photo center in New York, 888-273-6867. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.